Middle schoolers examine the use of a "magic hooey stick". They discover the concept of illusions and how science can reveal them. They answer discussion questions to end the lesson.

Students brainstorm techniques for teaching baby cheetahs survival skills. In this science instructional activity, students view an episode of "Cheetah Orphans" and work together to analyze the situation and develop a plan to teach the...

Students participate in an observational hike to study the natural surroundings.  In this observational hike lesson, students hike through a state park and observe the plant and animal life.  Students learn about appropriate...

Learners observe and describe a "special place" chosen along a nature trail. For this habitat observational skills and writing lesson, students take a walk on a nature trail and choose a spot to sit and meditate. Learners complete a...

Learners experience an example of bias in science dealing with women and gender.

Students explore the process of growing plants from seeds. In this hands-on science experiment, students observe different seeds (store bought vs. those directly from food items) and predict growing patterns.

Students view various types of illusions. Using one of the illusions, they try to determine how a scientist might explain them. They discover a t-illusion and use their own words to analyze them. In groups, they research a different...

Students examine the concept of astrology. They compare their traits with those of standard astrological descriptions. They discuss their findings.

Students explore canoes and kayaks. In this canoe and kayak instructional activity, students research the history, parts, and sport of the canoe and kayak.  Students then practice how to use a paddle for each boat, and go on a field...

Students explore the benefits of recognizing edible wild plants.  In this wild plant lesson, students collect, make ready and eat edible plants.  Students answer questions about the plants.

Students investigate the predator-prey relationship of owls and raptors. They examine a variety of resources about owls and raptors, develop a list of vocabulary words, dissect owl pellets and identify what owls eat, and play a...

Sixth graders classify fungus into two different groups. In this fungus lesson, 6th graders collect as many pieces of fungus as possible. Students then classify these pieces of fungus as saprophytic or parasitic. 

Students build a realistic sense of geological time, seek clues of transition fossils and find them.  In this investigative lesson students complete several activities and worksheets on fossils. 

Students will develop goals for inquiry. They will also improve content area reading and research skills. The context of studying dinosaurs will help learners to distinguish from organisms that live presently and those from the past...

Students explore how an animal's relationship to its habitat affect the animal's survival. They discuss animal habitats and the animal's relationship to that habitat through the food chain, life cycle, community, and balance of nature....

Students identify and interpret the importance and diversity of the insect world. Students organize various insects into a classification system based on their characteristics. Students create tree or window ornaments utilizing their...

Students consider how the scientific advances of the past have contributed to the science topics reported on today in the Science Times section. After reading a current science article, they compare and contrast the way science was...

Young scholars study archery. In this archery lesson, students develop basic archery and hunter safety skills. Young scholars discuss the history of archery and bow hunting.

Students study orienteering. In this science instructional activity, students study the parts of a compass and use the compass to set a bearing and follow the bearing on the compass.

Students explore the role scientists play in research. They research current important areas of scientific interest. They write about how this issue could affect them. They create posters about their chosen scientific issues.

Students observe and discuss the change of water to ice and back again. In this water and ice lesson, students observe the change in temperature and what happens when water freezes and turns to ice and vice versa.

Students plant a garden which will become the habitat for butterflies as they go through their life cycle.  In this life cycle lesson, students grow plants that attract butterflies and feed caterpillars in order to observe the...

Students explore the cycles of an ecosystem.  In this environmental science lesson, students work in groups to research the nitrogen cycle, the water cycle, or the oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle. Students prepare a PowerPoint or other...

Students explore ocean habitats. In this oceanic environment instructional activity, students research various habitats in the ocean. Then, in a jigsaw format, students teach others in the class about the habitat they researched.